MARTIN LING was full of praise for Orient's determination after they ground out a valuable point at Walsall on Tuesday.

The O's weren't able to offer much in an attacking sense, but they defended excellently and were well worthy of the draw.

Ling said: "It wasn't pretty on the eye, especially on our part, but it was a dogged display.

"We didn't pass the ball very well and it was a difficult pitch on which to do so, but we ground out the point and I'd have taken that before the game.

"They've gone a long time unbeaten and were lying fourth in the league, so it's a valuable point and it was important to put on some sort of display after the Northampton debacle."

Ling was pleased with the defensive contributions of all his players and he was delighted with a clean sheet.

He continued: "The back four take special praise tonight, as does Nelson, who has done very well since getting the kick up the backside of being left out.

"The front six didn't have a lot to play with on the ball, but they did their defensive duties right and proper - that's what you need to dig out a point away from home."

Following Tuesday's results, just four points separate second from eighth in the League One table and Ling expects the promotion race to go right to the wire.

He added: "It's tightening up all the time and it's going to go right to the end of the season.

"I think Swansea will go clear, but then after that it's anyone's game. The performance out there tonight wasn't A1, but it was a lot, lot better than on Friday and that was massively important for us."